Looking to Tap Economic Recovery Funds? Here's Who You Need to Call...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provides millions of dollars in potential supports for afterschool and summer programs. Don’t let this opportunity slip by. Programs provide critical supports to struggling kids and families, create good jobs and make a solid investment in our future workforce. Putting these funds to work now not only helps us today, but also better positions afterschool efforts for future funding.  Here's our quick take on who you should be talking to now about these resources:

1. Talk to your principal, superintendent, Title I Coordinator or other local education agency and school officials about applying Title I recovery dollars to afterschool and summer programs. An additional $13 billion is being distributed to local education agencies for programs under Title I.  Support for extended learning, including afterschool, summer and year-long programs, is encouraged in the guidance on this funding. This is a great point to share. Give examples of how afterschool and summer programs can help close the achievement gap.

The Administration has made clear that recovery dollars should help fuel reform, and that afterschool and summer programming is part of a reform vision. The U.S. Department of Education has said that states using Title 1 funds toward reform are better positioned to be awarded additional funds through the “Race to the Top” and “Innovation” grant programs.

2. Contact your state’s Child Care Development agency about contracting to provide slots for school-age children. An additional $2 billion has been provided in Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds. This is one of the largest sources of child care subsidies for children from infant to age 13.  The full $2 billion dollars is a large influx of new funds, and is available now. Using the funds to contract for slots in programs for school-age youth is a stated allowable use of recovery dollars. Since $255 million is set aside for quality improvement activities, you could also talk to the agency about professional development for staff.

3. Contact your local workforce investment board (WIB) or youth council about applying for funding to employ youth this summer. The Act provides $1.2 billion for youth services, and the Department of Labor strongly recommends using these funds to create jobs for low-income youth. In addition, afterschool program activities that include focus on conservation, parks and recreation may be eligible to participate in a $750M competitive green jobs grant.

Funds might be used for internships, hiring eligible youth as staff; or provide a range of services from tutoring to job training and leadership development.  NOTE: If the application window has closed, ask the WIB for a list of participating summer programs. Contact those sites about creating a partnership.  Also ask the WIB about the timeline for applying for funds for fall 2009 programs. 

5. Look into securing a VISTA Volunteer. AmeriCorps VISTA membersserve as resources to help community organizations build up capacity.  An additional 3,000 positions are available for new and existing sponsors.  VISTA members are committed to a one year term of service.  Apply directly to be a VISTA sponsor, or partner with local sponsors in your community to place a VISTA volunteer in your programs. Applications for VISTA grants are accepted throughout the year.

6. Reach out to your Mayor. Mayors have become very involved in ensuring that Recovery funds are being used to help their communities. Mayors also understand that afterschool programs can not only expand learning opportunities, but that they can help kids stay safe and healthy, and support struggling families.  Reach out to your Mayor’s education policy staff and your city’s neighborhood and youth development staffs.  Point out how afterschool can help a city meet today’s challenges while helping it build a strong foundation for tomorrow. 

7. For more information, go to http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyEconRecovery.cfm and www.afterschoolwiki.org for the latest news, official guidance, ideas and Q&A from the field about using recovery dollars to support afterschool programs

Additional Resources: 

Dept of Education Recovery Site

Summer Programming & Recovery Funds

Dept Health & Human Services, Guidance on Use of CCDBG Recovery Funds

Dept of Labor Recovery Site

Corp for Nat’l Service Recovery Site

National League of Cities Brief, How Mayors Can Tap Recovery Funds to Support Afterschool

Data on Public Support, Afterschool Outcomes